Village Trying to Keep Pace with Growing Senior Population

Is Garden City providing ample services to its growing senior population? A two-sided questionnaire recently mailed to village residents aged 60 and older attempts to answer that question.

With help from volunteers, recreation staff, Garden City's four property owners' associations and the Recreation Commission, the department of recreation and parks compiled the questionnaire to ensure the village is providing the types of services seniors are actually looking for.

"With our senior population on the rise, we anticipate participation in our programs and use of our facilities dedicated to seniors," Kevin Ocker, chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Cultural and Recreational Affairs, states in a letter sent along with the two-sided questionnaire to approximately 5,000 village households. "In order for us to prepare for the future your input is critical."

As of July 19, Ocker said the department received 200 back.

The questionnaire gauges how senior residents feel about the services offered and whether or not those services are adequate. What are the strengths and assets of the Garden City community for you? What services do you currently take advantage of? What additional service would you recommend for our community? are just some questions asked of seniors.

Last October, seniors packed the Golf Club Lane senior center to meet with village trustee John Watras and Ocker to discuss what they perceived as a deficit in senior offerings. George Salem, co-president of the Retired Men’s Club said despite the large population of those 60 and over in Garden City, seniors are getting shortchanged in the village budget.

Currently, day trips, exercise programs and workshops are offered at both senior centers on Rockaway Avenue and Golf Club Lane, which is currently undergoing improvements. Just last week a new pool table arrived at the center for senior enjoyment. Further, a community garden next to the cottages at St. Paul's is growing season by season as more seniors buy plots to grow their herbs, flowers and vegetables and the end-of-the-summer picnic is well-attended, according to Ocker.

The village is looking to further explore new initiatives and make improvements where necessary to better serve the growing population. Once results of the questionnaire are tallied, a summary report will be prepared and made available at the recreation and parks office in the cottages on Rockaway Avenue.

Are services for seniors adequate? Let us know in the comments.